Syracuse man gets prison for crack and Ecstasy possession

CANTON  A Syracuse man was sent to prison Monday in St. Lawrence County Court for selling crack and Ecstasy in Ogdensburg.

Fernando D. Free Johnson, 37, of 1200 West Colvin St., Syracuse, was sentenced to six years in prison for his Jan. 14 guilty plea to the class B felony of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and as a second felony offender.

Johnson was convicted on Aug 12, 2008 of a felony second-degree attempted assault count in Onondaga County Court.

On March 12, 2013, Johnson was arrested along with Jessica L. Thomas, 30, of 322 King St., Apt. 1, and Eric L. Peets, 27, of the same address, by Ogdensburg Police Departments Narcotics Enforcement Unit and St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force after they executed a search warrant at the King Street address.

Johnson was found to be in possession of crack cocaine and Ecstasy and charged with intent to sell the drugs. St. Lawrence County Court Judge Jerome J. Richards noted Monday Johnson had denied he had intended to sell the drugs during a pre-sentence investigation and said he was only partying.

Attorney Bradford C. Riendeau, who represents Johnson, said his client had a serious drug problem and asked Judge Richards to consider recommending treatment for Johnson while he is incarcerated.

He has a five-page criminal history and 15 arrests mostly for criminal possession back to 1993, Judge Richards said. He says he needs treatment but never asked for it in 20 years. I would be doing the community a disservice by putting you in treatment. I cant.

In addition to his prison sentence, Johnson was sentenced to three years of post-release supervision and ordered to pay $375 in court fines fees and surcharges.

In other court action Monday:

Shawn A. Monaghan, 30, of 34 Maple St., Massena, was sentenced to 4 ½ years in prison for his Jan. 22 guilty plea to felony third-degree attempted sale of a controlled substance and as a second felony offender.

Monaghan was convicted March 7, 2007 for the violent felony of second-degree burglary in Onondaga County Court and was sentenced to five years in prison.

On Sept. 4, in the village of Massena, Monaghan sold cocaine to another person.

In addition to his prison sentence, Monaghan was sentenced to three years of post-release supervision and ordered to pay $80 in restitution and $50 in court fees.

Joshua A. Henderson, 25, of Massena was sentenced to one year, time served, in St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility for his Jan. 31 guilty plea to fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon in an Alford plea, reducing his original charge of felony third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

In an Alford Plea, a defendant does not admit the act, but admits that the prosecution could likely prove the charge.

Henderson said he did not have the intention of using the blade that was discovered under the seat of his vehicle when he was stopped by Massena Village Police on June 26 on a warrant from Potsdam Village Police.

Mr. Henderson was also ordered to pay $250 in court fines, fees and surcharges.

Scott A. Bell, 24, of 18 South St., Gouverneur, was sentenced to an a minimum of one year and a maximum of four years in prison for his Jan 29 guilty plea to third-degree grand larceny and as a second felony offender.

On May 9, 2011, Bell was convicted of third-degree rape and second-degree attempted burglary.

In court Monday, Judge Richards said Bell stole $26,000 from a victim who submitted an impact statement. Judge Richards did not state the name of the victim.

She said she was disabled and was going to use that money to fix and heat her house, Judge Richards said. I gave you consideration by giving you two to four only because of the plea deal. This person deserves justice.

In addition to his prison sentence, Bell was ordered to pay $26,120 in restitution and $375 in court fines, fees and surcharges.

Amber L. Lottie also known as Amber L. Sanderson, 25, of 3095 County Route 17, DeKalb, was sentenced to 120 days in St. Lawrence County jail after she failed to comply with her probation sentence.

Lottie was resentenced to probation on Jan. 14 for felony third-degree criminal same of a controlled substance after admitting to violating her previous sentence. She was additionally sentenced to four months-worth of intermittent jail time in the St. Lawrence County jail. On March 7, she failed to show up for her weekend sentence.

In addition to her jail sentence, Lottie will have to continue her previously imposed probation sentence.

Kyle W. Streeter, 20, of 20 Loafers Bluff Drive, Ogdensburg, was placed on one year of interim probation for his Jan. 21 guilty plea to felony second-degree criminal mischief.

Streeter was involved in a Dec. 26, 2012, incident in Lisbon that caused more than $1,500 in damage to a vehicle belonging to Cynthia Major, including three punctured tires, a broken rear windshield and two smashed windows.

Sentencing was adjourned to March 2 and Mr. Streeter was additionally ordered to pay $4,294.44 in restitution and court fines, fees and surcharges totaling $429.44.

Kathleen M. Morgan, 29, of 2 Elizabeth Ave., Massena, was sent to St. Lawrence County jail without bail after being picked up on a warrant for violation of probation.

On Jan. 6,. Morgan was placed on five years of probation for the violent felony of second-degree attempted burglary. On Feb. 1, she was arrested by state police and charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property after allegedly stealing jewelry from Julie Stewart and selling it for $150.

Additionally, Judge Richards said she failed to make payments on her $4,515.60 restitution.

Joshua A. Pitts, 29, 7 Pink Schoolhouse Road, Pyrites, was sent to St. Lawrence County jail without bail after being picked up on a warrant for violating his probation.

Judge Richards did not elaborate on the nature of the violations and adjourned the matter to April1 after a denial to violations was placed on record by St. Lawrence County Conflict Defender Amy L. Dona.

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